Māori

The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They arrived from Polynesian islands before 1300 AD. They are the first known inhabitants of New Zealand before the Europeans arrived in the early 1800s.

Waitangi Tribunal

When presented with a claim, the Waitangi Tribunal has to decide whether, on the balance of probabilities, that claim is well founded. Where the Tribunal finds that such is the case, it may recommend to the Crown means by which the Crown can compensate the claimants, remove the prejudice, or prevent similar prejudice happening to others in the future.

Mātauranga Māori
Mātauranga Māori is a term that has increased in popularity and used in recent years. There are a number of themes in recent New Zealand history which help us understand its growth including: Māori entry into the ‘knowledge economy’, which has required the application of appropriate terminology to facilitate this dimension of the economy; claims to tangible resources (land, water, air etc). Hearings to the Waitangi Tribunal have been supplemented by claims to intangible resources (eg, language, cultural knowledge). The establishment of Māori education institutions has required terminology to denote the knowledge of interest to these institutions; and what is the creative potential and actual contribution of Māori participation or involvement in an activity or enterprise? (PDF)

Positively Maori

A 2010 article about a couple of backpackers impersonating the local Maori in a show for tourists has prompted us to let the world know that there are some incredibly positive things happening with indigenous tourism in New Zealand.

There are a number of tribes (called iwi) that have been compensated by the Crown for land issues stemming from the Treaty of Waitangi. This money has been used to better the overall economic achievement for Maori by setting up businesses including tourism and aquaculture. Some great examples are listed with links below to show what is happening. The Maori culture is unique and they were one of only a few peoples to sign a treaty with the Europeans when they arrived in the late 1700s.

The culture of New Zealand is a fusion of European (mainly English) and Maori with Pacific Island and Asian influences being more prominent in recent decades. Maori and European New Zealander's alike are very proud of the way the cultures work together... nothing is perfect but locals are doing well to live appreciating the differences and exhibiting tolerance to all groups who live in this South Pacific paradise.

Key Concepts

Parks

Many places within Aotearoa (New Zealand) are considered by Maori as tango (treasures). They represent the identity, spirit and history of Mäori ancestors. DOC and Mäori work together to protect these special places.

Landcare

Living Heritage http://www.livingheritage.org.nz is an online bilingual (Māori-English) initiative that enables New Zealand schools to publish an online resource, based on a heritage treasure or taonga in their community. New Zealand students become researchers and investigators, exploring their local communities to find out about their topic. Living Heritage enables these students to share their stories with a worldwide audience on the web, in their own language. Our heritage and culture is made sustainable; our past for our future.

Maori Tourism

Tourism is a great source of income for our Maori. Tourism is New Zealand’s predominant industry for the economy. Every year thousands upon thousands of travellers visit New Zealand for its beautiful scenery and its unique culture.

Explore Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) on an Auckland Maori Tour. Learn about Maori culture and see this fascinating culture through the eyes of a local Maori. See the very best sights of Auckland, Devonport and Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa (Waitakere Ranges) on Auckland's stunning West Coast.For more information visit http://www.newzealandtours.travel/de-de/auckland-tours/cultural-experiences

ITBW 2010

The winner of the popular count 2010 ITBW Award is TIME Unlimited Tours from New Zealand, operated by the Maori-European couple Ceillhe Tewhare Teneti Hema Sperath and Néill Sperath, and providing personalized and interactive Auckland and Maori Indigenous Cultural Tours. Finalists included Te Urewera Treks strives to operate in a sustainable manner in accord with Maori principles and values.

Regions

The 2008 Maori Tourism Sector Profile Report identifies a growing trend towards other popular spots including Auckland and Canterbury. Rotorua maintains its reputation as the capital of Maori tourism, with 86 percent or 396,000 international visitors seeking a unique Maori experience in the region for the 2005/2006 period.

Similarly, there have been comments that we should not be using technology to advance our cause, to raise up the name and works of our tūpuna. This is pure nonsense. Our tūpuna and others were famous for embracing technology, with full recognition of the advantages which accrued. Let us also remember that hundreds of years before the Europeans arrived in Aotearoa, our tūpuna had foretold exactly what would occur. They knew also that our time, as a people, is yet to come! Part of the strength and resilience of our people was that they did accept and embrace those things which advanced their lives. This is, of course, not to deny there were tragic events as well. Our people, our tūpuna also knew about balance.

Wiki

Recommended listening

Te ahi kaa - Radio New Zealand- The philosophy of Te Ahi Kaa is to reflect the diversity of Māori in the past, present and future. Bilingual in delivery, the program incorporates Māori practices and values in its content, format and presentation. Facebook - @RNZ_TeAhiKaa

Te Urewera Treks - It's largely due to the very values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and aroha that Joe Doherty (1953-2014) practiced and poured into his tourism business Te Urewera Treks that it's still able to run following his death a few weeks ago. Maraea Rakuraku observes Owner/Operator Joanna Doherty and Bush Guide Wiremu Nuku in their day to day operation before trekking to Nga Putahi Bush Camp in Ruatāhuna.

Karl Leonard: Tour Guide - Karl is what he calls one of the few 'old school' tour guides working at Te Puia: NZMACI. He was taught guiding by Dorothy (Bubbles) Mihinui (1919 - 2006) Karl takes Justine on a tour of Te Puia and Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal valley.

Tangata o le Moana: New Zealand and the People of the Pacific - Weaving the strands of ancient and modern history, Tangata o le Moanadelivers a new perspective on the relations between New Zealand and the people of the Pacific . The book draws on research by New Zealand-based Pacific scholars and features a collection of essays on the history of Pacific people's interactions with New Zealand. Co-editor Sean Mallon, senior curator of Pacific collections at Te Papa, speaks with Isabelle Genoux about the publication which will bring a new perspective on New Zealand's history .

Māori Methods of Learning and Teaching - Dame Joan Metge is a social scientist, anthropologist and author. She has spent several decades endeavouring to improve communication and cultural understanding between Maori and Pakeha. At 85, she has a new book 'Tauira - Maori methods of learning and teaching'.

Claudia Orange: the Waitangi Museum - Head of Research at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and expert on the Treaty of Waitangi, who has been advising on Te Kongahu, the new museum at Waitangi.

Whiringa ā Rangi

“He aha te tāonga o tātou – he tamariki”What is our treasure – it’s our kids
This week’s whakatauki was explained by Rangi Ahipene (Ngāti Raukawa)
According to Māori, Ngatoroirangi is responsible for bringing geothermal power to the Central North Island Taupo region. For the past 50 years, Contact Energy has harvested the power through the Wairakei power station. So when Delanie Brown was asked to carve a Waharoa by the power company, to be presented as a gift to the people of Taupo in recognition of that relationship, he jumped at the chance. Brown called on all his skill as a carver and knowledge of tikanga Māori and the final product that was unveiled last week is a reflection of those relationships.

Background from Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
The Maori have a strong rich history that saw the Maori battle through many changes with the introduction of the Europeans and the obstacles that followed. Like many cultures we see in modern times, they have gone through many battles to hold onto their identity. Some iconic times in New Zealand history, in regards to the Maori ,include in 1840 the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was to solve much anguish between both Maori and European; but which unfortunately has since in later times lead to much controversy as to how modern day Maori are now treated and the relevance of the document.

New Zealand are known for their intimidating haka during the nations game of Rugby in which haka is performed that links to the rich history of the Maori. There are fives type of haka identified by Awatere noted by (Te Ara) with different motives behind each, there is the Haka Taparahi, Tutungarahu, Ngeri, Peruperu, and Puha.

New Zealand has three official languages which include Maori, English and sign language.

There is an abundance of knowledge that can be discussed on the Maori and New Zealand, thus several links that follow will entice you with this knowledge and more recent news about modern day Maori.

Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand – Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand is a comprehensive guide to our peoples, natural environment, history, culture, economy and

Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa, New Zealand. They arrived from the polynesian islands before 1300 AD. They are the first known inhabitants of New Zealand before the European arrived in the early 1800’s. They arrived on several canoes from the polynesian island and are even said to have some relation to the Taiwanese people through great lengths of history.

The Maori have a strong rich history that saw the Maori battle through many changes with the introduction of the Europeans and the obstacles that followed. Like many cultures we see in modern times, they have gone through many battles to hold onto their identity. Some iconic times in New Zealand history, in regards to the Maori ,include in 1840 the signing of the treaty of waitangi, which was to solve much anguish between both maori and european; but which unfortunately has since in later times lead to much controversy as to how modern day Maori are now treated and the relevance of the document.

New Zealand are known for their intimidating haka during the nations game of Rugby in which haka is performed that links to the rich history of the Maori. There are fives type of haka identified by Awatere noted by (Te Ara) with different motives behind each, there is the Haka Taparahi, Tutungarahu, Ngeri, Peruperu, and Puha.

New Zealand has three official languages which include Maori, English and sign language.

There is an abundance of knowledge that can be discussed on the Maori and New Zealand, thus several links that follow will entice you with this knowledge and more recent news about modern day Maori.

Throughout the year there are also numerous celebrations for Māori and Pacific nations to bring together their cultures and put on events. These events enable our children to learn and be encouraged to participate in festivities and for different representatives of tribes and so forth to come together. They provide entertainment and food from each different place like Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. Events like the Pasifika festival and Polyfest showcase talent annually.